Thankful Thursday - Finally Back!

Hello Friends

After a somewhat long hiatus, I am finally back and boy oh boy do I have some gorgeous cards to show you!

I held my Inspiration Stamp Day last Saturday and 37 women got to each make 20 different cards, using stamps and products from the new catalogue.  Over the next few days I'll show them all to you so you can see what fun new things await you in the 2014-15 catalogue.

For those of you who missed my 20-card class - I am offering a 2-go package that includes all of the scored, cut and embossed materials for you to make these cards.  It also includes a goody bag worth $20+ that contains all of the embellishments needed for these cards, as well as extras for creating more cards on your own.  In compliance with Stampin' Up! policy, no pre-stamping has been done.  If you would like to order a 2-go package, please contact me and we can arrange pick-up (if local) or shipping to you (Canada only).  And mark your calendars now....my next 20-card class (for the Holiday catalogue) is already booked for September 13!

Back to the matter at hand -- Perhaps you noticed the Razzleberry rhinestones in the corners of the Kinda Eclectic card above, as well as the Mossy Green button on the World of Dreams card to the left?  The participants of my Inspiration Stamp Day were thrilled to discover that our new Blendabilities markers can be used to colour buttons, rhinestones, pearls, embossing powder and more!  You can own ALL of the Blendabilities PLUS stamp sets and accessories at a discount by joining the virtual "Blendabilities Club".  Click here for more details.

Well, I'll need to post this now or my hiatus will be extended even longer!  But since today is Thursday, I am putting out a Thankful Thursday message to just say how Thankful I am that everything is "getting back to normal" here.  Piano lessons are done for the year.  Flute lessons are done.  Music Theory is over.  Youth Group is on summer hiatus.  Choir is finished.  ConQuest is done.  School is almost done.....  I love this time of year where we are heading in towards carefree days without scheduling!!  

So I am Thankful today for life getting back to what I consider "normal".  Or at least carefree.  For however long that may be.    :)





Hope everyone has a wonderful day and can focus on the things that make you Thankful!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Riding the Rails

Hello Friends

Don't you just *love* the new catalogue?  

I have been drooling about it from the first moment I saw it and I cannot wait for my big order of new goodies to arrive this weekend.  Until then, I have a few new sets I can use and among them is this gorgeous one.  

Traveler has 6 beautiful images that have a romantic, vintage feel and despite the fine lines and detail, they stamp beautifully.  A testament to the quality of the deeply etched red rubber of Stampin' Up! stamps if I do say so myself.

This is quite a simple card to make, but there is a grace and elegance to that simplicity.  An embossed background and a sponged edge and voila, that pretty much takes care of the detailed explanation.  But a lot of words is rather unnecessary.  The card speaks for itself, don't you think?

I especially love this train because my grandfather was an engineer and the rails run in my blood, so to speak.  And this particular image just seems to speak to my heritage.  I can see me getting a lot of use out of all of the stamps in the Traveler set.  But then again, I will be getting a lot of use out of all of the wonderful goodies in the new catalogue!

Have you seen the new catalogue yet?  If you haven't, and you'd like a copy, contact me and we'll make arrangements to get one into your hands.  Trust me - you will love what you see within its pages.

Until then, hope everyone enjoys their day.  I'll be back tomorrow with a Thankful Thursday post.  God Bless you all,     ~Cynthia    <><  

Product List

Traveler Clear Stamp Set [134513] $24.95 Traveler Wood Stamp Set [134510] $33.95	Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [132187] $9.95	Labels Collection Framelits Dies [125598] $32.95	Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980] $7.25
Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] $9.25	Stamping Sponges [101610] $4.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $5.50

Sneak Peak - Something For Baby Buggy

Hello Friends

Well I'm back.  
No seriously.  
I mean it!  

I've finally gotten all my "stuff" in order and now I am back to stamping and creating and blogging in a serious way. And not a moment too soon!  I have my new catalogue goodies sitting here just waiting for me to make good use of them so how about we start with this little darlin'.

I've used 2 new stamp sets, a new set of framelits, and a new embellishment to get the ball rolling.  Can you spot them all?

I am absolutely in love with the "Something For Baby" stamp set.  Twelve really cute images that make me want to squeal with delight.  And even better...there are 11 framelits in the coordinating "Baby's First" framelit set so I can cut out the images and really show them off!  Don't you just adore this cute little baby buggy?

And there are lots of wonderful sentiment sets in this new catalogue - here is one of my new favourites, "Something To Say".  And did you notice the Pistachio Pudding Baker's Twine?  Love, love, LOVE the thick Baker's Twine that they've given us in this new catalogue!  I was so sorry when Sale-A-Bration ended and we no longer had the Thick Baker's Twine in the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack.  But Stampin' Up! knew a good thing when they saw it and decide to offer us an even bigger selection in the new catalogue.  I, for one, couldn't be happier with this decision!

I can't show you everything on the product list yet, but all of the new products become available for you to order on June 2 and trust me....you won't want to wait until then.  Have you seen the new catalogue?  If you live in Canada and you'd like your copy, contact me and we'll see what we can do about getting one to you!

In the meantime, have a terrific Sunday and a great weekend.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Product List

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]	Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad [131177]
Labels Collection Framelits Dies [125598]	Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [117335]

Thankful Thursday - Field Flowers

It's Spring.

Oh yes, I know, I am quite aware that my front lawn *still* has a foot and a half of snow (up to 3 feet in the shady areas)!  But it is Spring nonetheless!  And although my own garden lies under a mantle of white, friends of mine are reporting daffodils and crocuses and tulips poking up out of the ground, ready to bloom.

See - I don't need for it to actually *be* Spring yet.  It is the anticipation of everything coming alive that has me all giddy with Spring fever.

So today I am thankful for the promise of Spring and the new life that it entails.

Isn't life wonderful?!!!!   :)

And in honour of being thankful for Spring, my Thankful Thursday card includes flowers.  And a stamp set I have never gotten inky before!!  Although I must say, I LOVE 2-step stamping and the effect of these flowers with the darker and lighter tones.  So I will be using this set again soon (Field Flowers), trust me.

I hope the rest of you have a Spring in your step and a giddy feeling today too.  And if you do - pass it on!  The most attractive thing you can wear, after all, is a smile!

Have a thoroughly wonderful day my friends.      God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><


Product List

122762	120501	126972	131176
126983	125598	133520	131298
122925	100730	102023	100425

Last Day For Sale-A-Bration - Baby's Change Everything!

Hello Friends

Today is the LAST DAY for Sale-A-Bration so if there is anything you still want to get, then send me your order as soon as possible!  The Sale-A-Bration items were all so fabulous this year, that I can imagine it has been difficult for you to decide which one to get.  So take my advice, get them ALL. (NOW.  Before it is too late!)

But just before they disappear forever, I wanted to show you these quick cards I made last night using one of the free Sale-A-Bration sets -  See Ya Later.  I saw a card similar to these somewhere on the internet a while back but I cannot remember where so I cannot give credit to the original designer.....but I LOVED the idea so I just had to make my own version of it for you to see.

Aren't these adorable?  For anyone who has children of their own, I am certain this rings true for you too.  I heard a quote once that went somewhere along these lines....."Every first born child is born to a woman.  Everyone else is born to a mother."  And there is absolute truth to this.  You love each and every one of your children, without a doubt.  Every one.  But that first one?  Having that child is a life-altering event.  Because you go from being a woman ---> to being a mom.  Nothing can or will ever undo that.  And it changes everything.

And it is wonderful.

This isn't a post about children.  Or motherhood.  It is about cards.   So I will get back on track now.   I thought you would appreciate just how super-cute these cards are.  And how wonderfully appropriate the sentiment is.  For a first child.  Or a third child.  Or a tenth child for that matter!

And remember - you only have until midnight tonight to get your Sale-A-Bration goodies.  So if there is something you want, contact me as soon as possible.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

In the meantime, have a wonderful day.  Have a terrific end to your Sale-A-Bration.  And God Bless you all,        ~Cynthia     <><  

Product List

100730	111351	126956	122981	131181	131203
131210	117335	125598	125472	133536	126980

Evergreen For Christmas

Hello Dear Friends

It is 'supposed' to be a Thankful Thursday - and despite the fact that I am very thankful indeed (I have been so blessed in life....What is there to not be thankful for?), well, even though I am thankful, today I am posting another Christmas card, not a Thank You card.

Supply List
Stamps - Evergreen, Music Notes (wheel)
Paper - Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink - Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler
Big Shot -  Labels Framelit Die
Tools and Accessories Cherry Cobbler Tulle, cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Merry Minis Punch Pack (Star), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

This is one of those cards that has beauty with just a hint of subtlety.  Did you notice that the words to "Silent Night" are superimposed on the tree boughs?  And there are musical notes inked very faintly on the Celery card mat?  And when you notice those 2 elements, don't you find yourself starting to hum "Silent Night" in your mind.....?  I know I do!

Only a few days left until Christmas.  In all of the hectic craziness of the season, I hope you find yourself humming "Silent Night" and looking forward to our Lord's birth with at least as much joyful anticipation as looking forward to turkey dinner and gifts.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Fast & Fabulous Come To Bethlehem

Wow - It's been way too long since I did a Fast & Fabulous Friday.  But in keeping with my attempt to get back to blogging more often, here is a F & F card using my treasured Come To Bethlehem stamp set.

Supply List
Stamps - Come To Bethlehem
Paper - Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Lacy Brocade EF
Tools and Accessories - Stitched Satin Ribbon, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone Jewels, Sponges, Dimensionals

This was one of the cards that my friends got to create at the Christian Christmas card class that I held in October.  I think I'll showcase the other creations over the next few days for those of you who were unable to join us.  Believe me, when you see the cards, you'll wish you had been able to come!  This card is likely the "simplest" of the four designs.  But perhaps that is what I love so much about it.  The Come To Bethlehem stamp set needs so little adornment to make a card that packs a big punch!

For those of you visiting from Word Art Wednesday, yes, this is one of the stamp sets that I am giving away to one lucky recipient.  And to the rest of you, for your chance to win this stamp set (plus the Crosses of Hope stamp set), pop on over to Word Art Wednesday and enter their card challenge.

To everyone, I wish you a wonderful day - and a peace-filled weekend ahead.
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Just a Little Change - Watercolor Winter

Just back from vacation and thinking Christmas already?   Well - sort of.  I held a Christmas card class before I left and one of the cards used the Watercolor Winter stamp set.  I was inspired by 2 cards I saw on the fabulous Dawn Olchefske's blog but I wanted to change them up just a bit so here is what I came up with.

I liked my card....but my customers showed me some ways to dramatically improve the sample to turn this card into something really outstanding!!





Karen T.  had the idea to add much more foliage (my pines were kinda sparse and not very realistic but her addition of more foliage made it look more natural).

And Brenda P.S. improved on my controlled and deliberate sponging by making it both wider and softer.  Doesn't the extra sponging add so much depth to this card?



And what is a homemade card without a matching envelope and stamping on the inside to make it complete and elegant?

Inside of card

Supply List
Stamps - Watercolor Winter, Greetings of the Season
Paper - Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Ink - Early Espresso, Always Artichoke
Big Shot -  Labels Collection Framelits, Square Lattice EF
Tools and Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds, 2-Way Glue Pen, Sponges




I made an assortment of cards using the various choices of more pines and softer sponging and just enough glitter on the pines to make the cards truly festive.  Another example of CASEing a brilliant idea from someone else and changing it just enough to suit me.  My friends and family and customers have been loving them.  Hope you do too!

Enjoy your day.   God Bless     ~Cynthia      <><

Quick and Easy - Flowering Flourishes

Today's card is one of those elegant "black tie affair" type cards.  You know...the "shaken-not-stirred", Casino Royale type of card.   But best of all, it is really quick too!

Supply List
Stamps - Flowering Flourishes, Occasions Alphabet
Paper - Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink - Basic Black
Big Shot -  Labels Collection Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Basic Pearls, dimensionals, Black Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)


How unbelievably easy is that?  Stamp the flourish onto the Vanilla.  Stamp the appropriate alphabet sentiment onto a vanilla scrap and cut it out with the Labels Framelit.  Piece everything together and add a few pearls.  Voila.  Elegance and refinement in a very few minutes!


This is yet another one of the cards that the ladies will make at the card class on Thursday.  I hope they enjoy the selection I have designed for them.  You'll see another card tomorrow.  Then Thursday I will head to a law office downtown and do a private card class for these wonderful ladies.  I love that I can come in and they can have some creative therapy at the end of a long and stressful day!


Does a private card class sound like something you'd like to do too?  If you are in the Ottawa area and think this sounds interesting, contact me and we'll see if we can make it happen.


Have a wonderful day everyone.  God Bless      ~Cynthia    <><